Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell's Buursma Named a Pro-Line Athletic/NCBWA Third Team All-American
6/12/2008 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 12, 2008
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Recent Bucknell graduate Jason Buursma (Seattle, Wash./Lakeside School) has been named a Pro-Line Athletic/NCBWA Third Team All-American, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association announced on Tuesday. Buursma was among 56 individuals recognized by the organization, one of three utility players, and was the lone representative from the Patriot League.
The two-way standout is the first Bison player to garner All-America honors since Bucknell began competing in the Patriot League in 1991. Overall, Buursma is the program's first All-American since Joe Markulike earned recognition as a shortstop his senior year in 1990.
Buursma enjoyed his finest season of his Bucknell career this spring as a senior, hitting a team-best .367 with 58 hits, 37 runs scored, seven doubles, one triple, 13 home runs, 37 RBI and a slugging percentage of .671. On the mound, he broke the program wins record with a 9-3 mark and posted a 2.58 earned-run average in 83.2 innings. He totaled just 10 walks and 78 strikeouts, while opposing hitters batted only .226 against him.
The Bison finished 2008 with the second-highest wins total in school history at 30-24-2 and won their fourth Patriot League championship, earning a Patriot League record fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament. At the NCAA Tallahassee Regional, Bucknell captured its first ever tournament victory, upsetting Florida State, 7-0, in the opening round of regional play.
The Following is a list of Jason Buursma's Bucknell career honors and accomplishments:
2008 Pro-Line Athletic/NCBWA Third Team All-America (UT)
2008 NCBWA District I Player of the Year
2008 ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-America (DH)
2008 All-Ping!Baseball Second Team (UT)
2008 Patriot League Player of the Year
2008 Patriot League Tournament MVP
2008 Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year
2008 St. Louis Cardinals' Draft Pick (25th Round)
First Five-Time All-Patriot League Selection in School History (OF '08, RP '06 & '07, 1B `06, DH '05)
2008 Christy Mathewson Award Winner (Top Athlete in Bucknell's Senior Class)
2008 Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Nominee (List of 16)
2008 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Finalist (1 of 10)
2008 Dick Howser Trophy Nominee Two-time NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List Member
2007 Seattle Mariners' Draft Pick (43rd Round)
Two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District II First Team DH (2007 & 2008)
2006 ABCA All-East Region First Team Relief Pitcher
